Health Services in Preschool and School
Children spend a large portion of their time in preschool and school in years that are critical to their physical, cognitive and social development. As part of the school year, certain activities are conducted to promote health and prevent diseases, to identify common health problems and to educate on a healthy lifestyle.
In school, health services are provided from first and up to ninth grade. Most of the activities are the responsibility of the regular nurse, who is an integral part of the school staff.
Completion of the health declaration in the beginning of the year
In the beginning of every school year, the Ministry of Education sends parents a request to complete a ‘health declaration’. The declaration provides important information about the state of your child’s health, for example information on chronic diseases, regular medications, allergies, and so on. It allows the school to help the schoolchildren where necessary. For example, in the case of a food allergy – the introduction of specific food into the classroom or school will be restricted. Schoolchildren with a vision or hearing impairment – will be seated in the first rows, near the teacher. With regards to chronic diseases such as epilepsy or diabetes, schoolchildren can always receive assistance depending on their needs. The health declaration is also the place to mention any restrictions regarding certain activities such as screening tests or vaccinations.
The form may be completed manually, or online by logging into the Ministry of Education portal with the parent’s ID number. For more information about health services for schoolchildren, contact the school secretary to request the contact details of the school nurse. Information can also be obtained from the nurses’ hotline that is part of the Ministry of Health Hotline *5400.
Health services provided in preschool
Protecting dental health
Practical education on brushing teeth and application of fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
More on dental health and prevention of tooth decay
Vision screening test
A photoscreening test for the detection of risk factors for ‘lazy eye’, strabismus or differences in visual acuity between the two eyes. The test is performed for schoolchildren 3-4 years old (preschool) with a photoscreener for children, a screening device similar to a camera that examines the eyes from a distance and with no physical contact.
More about vision screening in preschool
Health services provided in elementary school
Screening tests for vision, hearing and growth assessment
During the school years, screenings are conducted to identify students who have health issues or problems that may affect their daily functioning and academic achievements, in order to inform the parents and refer them to further treatment that will help them.
The tests below are carried out in educational institutions:
Dental examination, education and actions for the prevention of tooth decay
Protecting oral health is extremely important during childhood. In schools, annual dental check-ups are performed and, if necessary, parents are given a recommendation to visit a dental clinic. In addition, schools provide hands-on education about protecting oral and dental health with the help of the Shen-Li courseware and by annually distributing toothbrush and toothpaste.
More on dental exam and prevention of tooth decay in preschool and school
Administration of vaccines according to the immunization schedule
Vaccines are the most effective and safest way we have to protect ourselves from potentially serious and dangerous infectious diseases. At school, pupils receive a booster shot for vaccines they previously received in the Family Health Center, as well as other vaccines (influenza and the human papillomavirus). The school nurse is responsible for administering the vaccines.
More on the vaccines administered at school
Health education and promotion
Health education classes are designed to provide pupils with the latest professional information about an active, healthy lifestyle as well as prevent risky behaviors. Once a year, every class is entitled to a lesson on various age-appropriate subjects: nutrition, physical activity, personal hygiene, prevention of smoking and addictions, reducing screen time, prevention of violence and more. The school nurse is responsible for teaching the lessons.
Counseling and training on maintaining a healthy lifestyle
As part of the growth assessment that performed at school, the school nurse is responsible for counseling and instructing the educational staff, schoolchildren and parents on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention. Counseling is not individual, and if necessary, they will refer the parents to relevant medical professionals.
Training the educational staff on providing a response to special health conditions
The educational staff will receive training on how to help students with certain conditions, such as allergies, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other chronic diseases, and will receive training on providing first aid, such as using an epinephrine injector.
Initiatives, operations and partnerships in health promotion programs
The school nurse is responsible, together with the educational staff, for creating school programs that promote health in addition to holding special health days in the school (called “record days"), with various stations and activities on a chosen topic.
First aid
First aid services for schoolchildren are the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. In the event of an injury that occurs during school hours or during official activities of the school or preschool, initial medical treatment will be provided by a paramedic of MDA (*2326 hotline).
According to law, educational institutions and public venues are required to keep an epinephrine injector readily available for emergencies.
For more information about first aid services in educational institutions (Hebrew)
Contacting the the health staff of the school
Health services are provided to schoolchildren in Israel by several parties. To contact the school nurse, you can call the school secretary or call the hotline of the institution overseeing the school nurse:
- North, South and Ashkelon Districts: District Health Office
- Haifa and Jerusalem Districts: Terem; Telephone 1-700-504-121
- Tel Aviv and Central Districts: Femi; Telephone 03-5688599
Regarding dental exams, to contact the person performing the examination, contact the school secretary for information.